Alpharetta 6th fastest growing city in South

Census numbers put growth at 4.37 percent

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta is the sixth fastest growing city in the nation, according to numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The numbers were compiled for cities in the nation with populations greater than 50,000 between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012.

At a rate of 4.37 percent, Alpharetta is the only city in Georgia to make the list. Texas had five of the top 10 cities that grew the fastest.

As a state, Georgia grew by about 1 percent.

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle said he was not surprised.

“It comes down to two main thrusts,” he said. “One is quality of life. Most of that revolves around downtown right now. At the same time, we are increasing the number of events we have downtown.”

Alpharetta was recently named the seventh most friendly city in the nation, in large part because of the many events it holds in the historic downtown.

“I think that, combined with Avalon and the things coming down the pipeline show there is no better place to be,” he said.

Paula Van Sickle, with Keller Williams Realty Consultants, said there are many factors that draw people to Alpharetta.

“I would attribute the following factors contribute to that ranking – excellent quality of life, commercial growth locally offering excellent dining and entertainment, relatively low cost of living/housing, excellent schools, quality youth sports, close proximity to Lake Lanier and North Georgia mountains and, not to mention, the attraction and recruitment of corporations and business to the Atlanta area,” she said.

All good reasons, said Belle Isle.

“People are responding with their wallets,” he said. “They chose to live here.”